Saint Matronushka: biography and miracles of Blessed Matrona of Moscow

Matrona of Moscow is one of the most revered saints of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose life has become an example of deep faith and service to people. The blessed old woman, who was born blind and later lost the ability to walk, devoted herself to prayer and helping the suffering. Her gift of insight and miracle-working attracted thousands of people seeking healing and spiritual solace. In 1999, Matrona was canonized as a locally venerated saint of the Moscow Diocese, and in 2004 she was canonized as a general church saint. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Who is Matrona of Moscow: the Path to Holiness

Matrona Dmitrievna Nikonova was born in 1881 in the village of Sebino, Epiphany district, Tula province, into the peasant family of Natalia Nikitichna and Dmitry Ivanovich Nikonov. The girl was born blind, without eyes, which made the parents think about abandoning the child and transferring him to the Prince Golitsyn orphanage. However, the mother had a prophetic dream: a blind white bird with a human face landed on her right hand, which was perceived as a sign from above. Natalia decided to leave her daughter, and this decision changed the fate of many people.

From the age of eight, Matrona showed amazing spiritual abilities. She possessed the gift of foresight, could foresee events, felt the approach of danger and predicted natural disasters. Her family noticed that she was aware not only of human sins and crimes, but also of people's innermost thoughts. Through the prayers of the girl, the sick were healed, which attracted people from all over the province to the Nikonov house. So, instead of being a burden, the blind girl became the main breadwinner of the family.

At the age of 14, Matrona went on a pilgrimage to the holy places of Russia. The daughter of a local landowner, Lidia Alexandrovna Yankova, took her with her to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, the Trinity Sergius Lavra and St. Petersburg. There is a legend that in the Kronstadt Cathedral, St. John of Kronstadt, after the service, called the girl to him with the words: "Matronushka, come to me. Here comes my shift, the eighth pillar of Russia." At the age of 17, Matrona's legs gave out, but she accepted it as a cross sent by God and a test of faith.

Wandering and the feat of serving people

After the revolution of 1917, Matrona had to leave her native village because of the brothers' party career, who saw their sister's religious activities as a threat to their position. She moved to Moscow, where the most difficult part of her life began: for almost 25 years, the blessed old woman had no home of her own and wandered through the homes of friends and benefactors. Despite the persecution of believers by the Soviet government, Matrona continued to receive people, pray for them and help them in their sorrows.

Up to forty people came to her every day seeking spiritual advice and healing. Matrona received everyone: Orthodox and non-Orthodox, those who had entered the Church and those who were far from the faith. She recited prayers over the water she gave the visitors, and those who drank it or sprinkled it got rid of various ailments and misfortunes. At the same time, the blessed one herself emphasized that it is not she who helps, but God through her prayers.: "What, Matronushka is God, or what? God helps in everything."

During the Great Patriotic War, Saint Matrona revealed the fates of the soldiers who fought at the front. She predicted that the enemies would not enter Tula and Moscow. A woman who had received three funerals for her husband came to her, and the blessed one said: "He's alive, he'll come to Kazanskaya, knock on the window." My husband actually returned home in 1947 on the day of the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Matrona died on May 2, 1952 in the working village of Skhodnya, Moscow region, having completed her earthly path of service to people.

Miracles and healings through the prayers of Matrona

In the life of the saint, many miracles are described that occurred through the prayers of Matrona. Paralyzed patients were brought to her, who rose to their feet after prayer. One of these cases occurred with the brother of Vybornova's mother, who lived in the village of Ustye: he had an attack, his arms and legs hung like whips, and he could not move. Matrona, not yet seeing the patient, said: "Well, your brother said that I couldn't do anything, but now he's lying like a whip. Bring him in, I'll help you." After prayers and water given to the saint, the man fell asleep soundly, and in the morning he woke up completely healthy.

Another miraculous healing happened to a man who lived four kilometers from Sebino, who could not walk. Matrona told him to tell him to crawl towards her. The man crawled all four kilometers, and left the saint healed, on his own feet. The Blessed One possessed the ability to see people's souls and their sins with spiritual vision. One day she saw the secret sin of one of the visitors, who in times of famine sold stale milk to orphans and beggars.

Matrona always acted selflessly, never took anything from anyone, and demanded that those who came believe in God and correct their sinful lives. After her canonization in 1999 and 2004, the veneration of St. Matrona became widespread. Her relics rest in the Pokrovsky Monastery in Moscow, where pilgrims from different cities and countries come daily, asking for intercession and prayerful help. Written testimonies of miracles and healings occurring through the prayers of St. Matrona are being recorded, which is recognized by the entire hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, including Patriarch Kirill.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.